Meng-tse (Mencius)

Chinese philosopher Meng-tse (Mencius) is a replacement Kong Hu-Cu. Teachings, such as what is laid out in the book Book of Mencius, highly prized in China for centuries. He is often dubbed "The Second Sage," the wise man, which dropped its policy Kong's number two after the Hu-Cu-term difference to him about 2000 years.
Meng-Tse was born around 371 BC in a small country Tsou,
who is now in the province of Shantung. Period he was born, Chou dynasty final act, called by the Chinese with the nickname "The war of the country," since China is politically divided at that time. Meng-Tse, even though he is behind the tradition-Kong Hu Cu and always be a staunch supporter of the theories and ideas-Kong Hu Cu, finally respected as scholars and philosophers over the creation and work of thought itself.

Meng-tse spent much of his adult life traveling around the country in China and offer advice to the various authorities. Some authorities listened respectfully to him, and for a while he became Ch'i government officials, but across the board he did not have a permanent position or the decision maker. In the year 312 BC, when he was about fifty-nine years, he returned to his village in the country Tsou and settle down there until death. When did he die not clear, probably around the year 289 BC.

Meng-tse gathered followers during his lifetime, but his influence over China in part because terpokok Book of Menciusnya, which listed its teachings. Although the book could have experienced various improvements by his followers, very little doubt that the basics reflect ideas Meng-tse himself.

Image Book of Mencius colored idealistic and optimistic, reflecting strong confidence Meng-tse that human nature is basically good: in many respects, his political ideas are similar to Hu-Cu Kong; specifically, Meng-tse believe it is true that a king should govern the first - primarily by moral example rather than by force. However, Meng-tse closer to the "common property" than the Hu-Cu Kong. "The sky look like the people saw the sky as people hear hear," is one of the best statement.

Meng-tse stressed that the most important component of each country is the people, not rulers. Is the duty of the authorities promote the welfare of the people; in particular he must give the people moral guidance and with the proper conditions for life. Among the government policy he recommended: free trade; minor tax; conservation of natural resources; equal distribution of wealth than the current situation and the government supplies for the welfare of old people and the poor elderly. Meng-tse believe that the power of a king comes from the sky but a king who ignored the welfare of the people will lose the "mandate of heaven," and would properly be overthrown. Since the last part of the sentence that erodes the first part, Meng-tse basically emphasizes (long before John Locke), that the people have a right to rebel against an unjust ruler. This is an idea widely accepted in China.

Now talking in general, throughout most of the historical, political types are recommended Meng-tse is more popular among the people than among the authorities. Therefore do not be surprised if Meng-tse proposal is not accepted by the Chinese authorities at the time. But the way the time, his views became increasingly popular among scholars Kong Hu-Cu and among the Chinese people. Reputation Meng-tse, who was high, even a larger one in China is accompanied by the rise of neo-Confucianisme in the 11th century and the 12th.

In the West, of course, Meng-tse had no significant effect. This is caused partly by the fact that he wrote in Chinese. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tze is written in Chinese which practically coincided with the Book of Mencius, had been translated into various European languages a few times only because many people find the ideas presented in the book are curious. But relatively few Westerners have discovered Book of Mencius, the original special, or the mutilated.

Maybe it sounds interesting for the government to involve itself in the welfare of elderly and the poor and deformed; also sounds interesting to get a tax break. However, an American politician who announced that he supports both the political without a more specific explanation is unlikely to gain the trust of support by both liberal and conservative parties. Similarly, Meng-tse shows on the one hand he sided with the distribution of wealth and on the other hand showed his approval of free trade and lower taxes without a solution to the problem of how far the possibility of conflict between the two goes political. This may sound a bit dishonest for Meng-tse who nevertheless do not be a candidate for parliament. This may be expressed by a philosopher who presents a series of proposals virtue (though some are not consistent) in general, even if he did not specifically indicate how the conflict between two principles are solved. However, in the long run, a philosopher like Machiavelli, who express a clear choice instead of Meng-tse had a greater influence on the human mind.

However, the writings of Meng-tse has strongly influenced the Chinese people. Although the importance of not approaching greatness Confucianisme like St. Paul to Christianity (in one case Meng-tse lack the ability to persuade extraordinary that there is at St. Paul to attract people embrace pahamnya), he no doubt a writer who had a profound influence. During the roughly twenty-two centuries, his ideas learned in all areas with a population of more than 20% of the world. Only a few philosophers of any such influence the size. Michael H. Hart,One hundred most influential figures in the history.